Low Selenium Predicts Damaged Red Blood Cells and Mortality Risk

A lab test result on the common complete blood count (CBC) is listed as RDW (red cell distribution width).  As the score elevates the risk for mortality rises. Researchers have now shown that in women over the age of 65 elevated RDW is most associated with a deficiency of selenium¹, a key mineral for anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses as well as thyroid function.

Physicians seldom pay attention to the RDW score on lab tests, yet it is highly predictive of inflammatory trouble in the blood stream. The RDW number should be in the middle of the lab range or slightly lower, but within range. As the number heads towards the higher end of the normal range and especially when it goes out of range on the higher side it means red blood cells have been punched in the nose and have adopted irregular shapes. You can’t tell from the score who or what is doing the punching, you just know a nasty fight is going on and the circulation is in a high state of stress. This creates a sticky environment wherein blood cells stick together easier and are more likely to clot inappropriately, resulting in a stroke or heart attack. This is why elevated RDW predicts mortality risk.

If your score is elevated then boosting anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients is recommended. In addition, try to figure out what is stressing your circulation (which could be any number of health issues). This study points out that selenium is lacking, in turn enabling excess production of the inflammatory signal IL-6, which then punches the blood cells and causes problems.